Home field advantage? How players and refs may be affected with no fans in house

[Buffalo Streaker]

Five minute read from CBS SPORTS about the disappearing home field advantage and how players may be impacted, for better or worse, from fans not being in attendance.  Also touches on how refs may be affected by no fans in the stadium.  

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/no-fans-allowed-how-home-field-advantage-could-be-affected-in-nfl-season-without-full-stadiums/?ftag=SPM-16-10abi8e

 

"You know, I'm going to say yes and here's why," Parry says. "When you get booed -- and I'm talking booed -- I'm not talking about when there's a holding call and 15,000 people don't like it and it subsides 20-30 seconds later and the game goes on; that is water off the back -- but I have been booed for a length of time, and it does affect your psyche. And you wish at times you could crawl under a rock and you wish you could have it back." 

[RalphWilson'sNewWar]

To add on,

 

I immediately think of the RAMS home game.  You sometimes think does your guy or your opponent have the ‘intangibles’ to thrive in a hostile environment or will the wires in his brain fire out.

 

I look at Jared Goff...in Buffalo, up against that defense and 70,000 screaming fans...I think he is screwed.  Maybe a final score of 31-16 for Buffalo.

 

i beleive the atmosphere would swallow him up.  Other opposing QBs I think aren’t effected that much.  When Russell Wilson comes to Buffalo I’m not expecting him to be effected at all by the noise or fans.  He should be fine.

 

 But in an EMPTY stadium...with no outside influence or sensory assault from fans...I feel Goff will do better.  Still pick Buffalo to win, but that is an example I think of for certain type of player benefiting from no fans.

[BillsDude]

Wondering if they will allow fake pumped in crowd noise by the home team, to use or not use as they see fit.

[buffaloboyinATL]

Maybe we can set up the Jumbotron as a giant Zoom meeting and pump in all of our "crowd noise" while we are watching in our living rooms!!

[RalphWilson'sNewWar]

5 minutes ago, BillsDude said:

Wondering if they will allow fake pumped in crowd noise by the home team, to use or not use as they see fit.

In a game with fans, there is usually Crowd Noise when either team has the ball.  To different levels.  And in most stadiums, crowd noise increases based on down, score, time in the game.  Which is is al different.

 

can you trust the home team to pump in the proper crowd noise?  Or will say the Steelers pump in crowd noise as if every opposing team play was 3rd and Goal with a minute to go.

 

wouldnt be fair I see

[Jobot]

11 minutes ago, BillsDude said:

Wondering if they will allow fake pumped in crowd noise by the home team, to use or not use as they see fit.

 

That would be the worst decision.

[Tenhigh]

Personally, I think that playing to an empty stadium will help Allen's game at home.  He gets too pumped up from the home crowd. 

[Ya Digg?]

It will be interesting to see the effect the lack of crowds will have on the teams.  For the away teams that's obviously one less thing they have to game plan for.  For home teams defenses especially lose a good chunk of energy that they feed off of.  

[eball]

31 minutes ago, BillsDude said:

Wondering if they will allow fake pumped in crowd noise by the home team, to use or not use as they see fit.

 

Umm, yeah, that's not going to happen.  For a gazillion reasons.

 

As to the original post -- I think homefield advantage is more of a benefit to poor teams with great fans than it is to teams who are already good/established (or teams with milquetoast fans).  I don't think the Bills would be negatively impacted by the absence of fans at The Cap.

[iinii]

It is going to be interesting to see how teams play in quiet stadiums to say the least. All sports will be affected but I believe the NFL will be the most affected. Other sports don’t require the same type of communication needed in football; especially offenses that are on the road. With no fans defenses won’t have as much of an edge as they do now. 

[Mr. WEO]

58 minutes ago, RalphWilson'sNewWar said:

To add on,

 

I immediately think of the RAMS home game.  You sometimes think does your guy or your opponent have the ‘intangibles’ to thrive in a hostile environment or will the wires in his brain fire out.

 

I look at Jared Goff...in Buffalo, up against that defense and 70,000 screaming fans...I think he is screwed.  Maybe a final score of 31-16 for Buffalo.

 

i beleive the atmosphere would swallow him up.  Other opposing QBs I think aren’t effected that much.  When Russell Wilson comes to Buffalo I’m not expecting him to be effected at all by the noise or fans.  He should be fine.

 

 But in an EMPTY stadium...with no outside influence or sensory assault from fans...I feel Goff will do better.  Still pick Buffalo to win, but that is an example I think of for certain type of player benefiting from no fans.

 

Goff threw for 323  yards and 2 TDs last season vs that SF Defense... in SF.

[iinii]

2 minutes ago, eball said:

 

Umm, yeah, that's not going to happen.  For a gazillion reasons.

 

As to the original post -- I think homefield advantage is more of a benefit to poor teams with great fans than it is to teams who are already good/established (or teams with milquetoast fans).  I don't think the Bills would be negatively impacted by the absence of fans at The Cap.

The Bills so far have been able to hold teams in check thanks to the D. They feed on the noise which also has a negative effect on the visiting offense so I would have to disagree.

[eball]

Just now, iinii said:

The Bills so far have been able to hold teams in check thanks to the D. They feed on the noise which also has a negative effect on the visiting offense so I would have to disagree.

 

Buffalo was a better road team than home team last year.

[iinii]

2 minutes ago, eball said:

 

Buffalo was a better road team than home team last year.

Proving what?

[eball]

Just now, iinii said:

Proving what?

 

Why didn't those home crowds lead to better results at home?

 

It's an overblown "advantage."

[RalphWilson'sNewWar]

8 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

Goff threw for 323  yards and 2 TDs last season vs that SF Defense... in SF.

San Fran is a familiar spot for Goff.  He plays there every season.  Same climate conditions and Time zone.  And it’s a familiar opponent.

 

kind of like buffalo vs New England.  There is just enough familiarity that despite one team being better, the games are always close enough.

 

but this is more about crowd impact on the function of a opposing offense.  
 

Just feel offenses will run smoother on the road with no fans.

Edited May 14, 2020 by RalphWilson'sNewWar

[iinii]

6 minutes ago, eball said:

 

Why didn't those home crowds lead to better results at home?

 

It's an overblown "advantage."

First: I already said we disagree. Second everyone who thinks that home field advantage in the NFL is overblown raise your hand. And last you have yet to offer any valid proof of your theory. Think Pittsburg, Seattle and KC at home, just to name three places where it is LOUD! And if there isn’t a distinct advantage why do coaches bother pumping in crowd noise during practice for road games?

 

Edited May 14, 2020 by iinii
It’s road not toad. Sorry

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Empty arena stuff kinda sucks.  UFC works because it allowed you to hear a bit more of what is happening in that competition.  It also works because watching 2 people fight, in any scenario is pretty entertaining.  They had empty arena fights on the ultimate fighter, and it was fine.  I don't think crowds at golf are crazy important, you could get some additional entertainment by putting mics on some golfers.  

 

As for crowd dependent, watching pro wrestling is pretty painful without crowds.  So much of what they do is to get that pop.  It feels like you're watching rehearsals.  

 

For actual sports, especially playoffs like nba and NHL, its going to be tricky to get it to feel... important. 

[Albany,n.y.]

11 minutes ago, eball said:

 

Buffalo was a better road team than home team last year.

I don't agree.  Yes the pure record was better 6-2 vs 4-4, it was more a function of opponents than road/home.  The finale was a tank & do you really think they would have played a better game in Baltimore than OP?  

[Punching Bag]

25 minutes ago, eball said:

 

Buffalo was a better road team than home team last year.

 

Yea and for a long time teams have taken advantage that crowds are low at start of 2nd half because fans are at bathrooms, getting food/beer and illegally smoking.

[eball]

16 minutes ago, iinii said:

First: I already said we disagree. Second everyone who thinks that home field advantage in the NFL is overblown raise your hand. And last you have yet to offer any valid proof of your theory. Think Pittsburg, Seattle and KC at home, just to name three places where it is LOUD! And if there isn’t a distinct advantage why do coaches bother pumping in crowd noise during practice for road games?

 

 

Calm down, man.  I didn't say it was "no" factor, I said it is overblown.  I also suggested that it helps bad teams more than good ones.  These are all OPINIONS.  I believe if NFL games are played without fans the teams who will be most negatively impacted are the bad teams.

[RalphWilson'sNewWar]

17 minutes ago, iinii said:

First: I already said we disagree. Second everyone who thinks that home field advantage in the NFL is overblown raise your hand. And last you have yet to offer any valid proof of your theory. Think Pittsburg, Seattle and KC at home, just to name three places where it is LOUD! And if there isn’t a distinct advantage why do coaches bother pumping in crowd noise during practice for road games?

 

I don’t think home field advantage is overblown all the time. Sometimes it is based on the opponent.

 

Having to read For years the fans saying “ohhh! The Ralph I Will rocking!  Brady won’t know what hit him!!!!”

 

Yeah...that gets tired fast.  Considering certain accomplished QBs have played in bigger moments against better teams than ever produced in Buffalo.  So coming to Buffalo, isn’t really too detrimental for a certain level of QB.

 

i don’t entirely think it’s a coincidence Buffalo beat 

Andy Dalton, Brandon Allen, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dwayne Haskins at home

 

but lost to Carson Wentz, Lamar Jackson and Tom Brady.

[eball]

10 minutes ago, Albany,n.y. said:

I don't agree.  Yes the pure record was better 6-2 vs 4-4, it was more a function of opponents than road/home.  The finale was a tank & do you really think they would have played a better game in Baltimore than OP?  

 

You don't have to agree with me.  I think homefield advantage is a fun concept for fans, to believe they are part of the outcome.  In my opinion, good teams are focused even more on the road and therefore the "advantage" to the home team is minimized.  As some others have noted in the thread, getting too "pumped up" by your home crowd can lead to less-than-ideal performances, particularly early in games.

[iinii]

14 minutes ago, eball said:

 

Calm down, man.  I didn't say it was "no" factor, I said it is overblown.  I also suggested that it helps bad teams more than good ones.  These are all OPINIONS.  I believe if NFL games are played without fans the teams who will be most negatively impacted are the bad teams.

And you are welcome to your opinion. Start one of those surveys and see who agrees with whom about the overblown nature of home field advantage. Oh and by the way you have yet to add any anecdotal evidence in response to my questions. So....

[KD in CA]

The bigger issue is which guys will be able to play to their max ability in front of an empty house.  Let's be clear -- these guys are performers, they thrive off the energy of the crowd and have been used to playing in front of thousands of people since they were kids.   Playing in an empty stadium will feel like a practice.  Some won't be affected at all, but I believe many will.  I think it will add a huge variable to the season.

Edited May 14, 2020 by KD in CA

[GunnerBill]

54 minutes ago, RalphWilson'sNewWar said:

I don’t entirely think it’s a coincidence Buffalo beat 

Andy Dalton, Brandon Allen, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Dwayne Haskins at home

 

but lost to Carson Wentz, Lamar Jackson and Tom Brady.

 

No, it isn't. They lost to the 3 best guys on the list.

[FireChans]

1 hour ago, eball said:

 

Why didn't those home crowds lead to better results at home?

 

It's an overblown "advantage."

We played better teams at home?

28 minutes ago, KD in CA said:

The bigger issue is which guys will be able to play to their max ability in front of an empty house.  Let's be clear -- these guys are performers, they thrive off the energy of the crowd and have been used to playing in front of thousands of people since they were kids.   Playing in an empty stadium will feel like a practice.  Some won't be affected at all, but I believe many will.  I think it will add a huge variable to the season.

This is an excellent point. And while I’m not usually a McBeane cheerleader when it comes to the process and culture, I have to think that them bringing in a lot high culture DNA guys who aren’t exactly heralded may help here. Mario Addison may find it easier to get pumped up than a lot of NFLers.

[Simon]

1 hour ago, KD in CA said:

The bigger issue is which guys will be able to play to their max ability in front of an empty house.  Let's be clear -- these guys are performers, they thrive off the energy of the crowd and have been used to playing in front of thousands of people since they were kids.   Playing in an empty stadium will feel like a practice.  Some won't be affected at all, but I believe many will.  I think it will add a huge variable to the season.

 

I don't think it would be an issue because a) there's a lot of pride involved in individual matchups and somebody trying to rip your head off tends to concentrate the mind wonderfully and b) this will sound weird but you don't really hear crowd noise when you're actually playing; it's like your mind is dealing with so much other data that it dismisses any auditory input outside of the field of play. I've actually had moments where I can see people yelling near the sidelines but don't register any actual related sound.

[Mr. WEO]

3 hours ago, RalphWilson'sNewWar said:

San Fran is a familiar spot for Goff.  He plays there every season.  Same climate conditions and Time zone.  And it’s a familiar opponent.

 

kind of like buffalo vs New England.  There is just enough familiarity that despite one team being better, the games are always close enough.

 

but this is more about crowd impact on the function of a opposing offense.  
 

Just feel offenses will run smoother on the road with no fans.

 

He was playing in an opponent's hostile home stadium/crowd and his Offense functioned just fine.  It was not a solid example.  Crowd appeared to have no impact.

 

And the average temperature in Buffalo in September is 70.  And Goff is 10-2 in September.  And he has a better record on the road, has thrown more TDs on the road and far fewer sacks on the road and......well I think you get the point.

[FireChans]

2 hours ago, Simon said:

 

I don't think it would be an issue because a) there's a lot of pride involved in individual matchups and somebody trying to rip your head off tends to concentrate the mind wonderfully and b) this will sound weird but you don't really hear crowd noise when you're actually playing; it's like your mind is dealing with so much other data that it dismisses any auditory input outside of the field of play. I've actually had moments where I can see people yelling near the sidelines but don't register any actual related sound.

You say this but I firmly remember groans when I got a pass called for me in high school. 

[machine gun kelly]

So if they are pumping in fan noise, are they going to pump in like a real stadium fan noise when the opposition is on offense and we are on defense like we really see.  

[RiotAct]

each stadium should just order a few hundred of these:

 

https://yogasleep.com/collections/natural-sound-machines/products/dohmclassic

[Simon]

48 minutes ago, FireChans said:

You say this but I firmly remember groans when I got a pass called for me in high school. 

 

I was referring to off-the-field noise.

Therefore the groans must have been your teammates 

[Utah John]

The only team that will really be affected is the Chargers, which are used to playing in empty stadiums at home. 

6 hours ago, RalphWilson'sNewWar said:

San Fran is a familiar spot for Goff.  He plays there every season.  Same climate conditions and Time zone.  And it’s a familiar opponent.

 

I guess you haven't lived in California.  The climate conditions in the Bay Area and Southern California are really different. 

[AlCowlingsTaxiService]

I think the Bills have the advantage, as they can just consult with the Sabres on how it is to play in a silent arena ...

[RalphWilson'sNewWar]

35 minutes ago, Utah John said:

The only team that will really be affected is the Chargers, which are used to playing in empty stadiums at home. 

 

I guess you haven't lived in California.  The climate conditions in the Bay Area and Southern California are really different. 

No...most of my family lives right outside LA and San Fran.  So been to both multiple times but true I’ve never lived there.

 

But we are getting away from the topic.

 

I think Jared Goff having to play cross the country in front of 70,000 screaming bills fans when he’s never played in that stadium before is going to be a tougher challenge than his annual trip to San Francisco which in some ways he’s become a custom to.

[Buffalo Streaker]

Side note is how the refs will be affected.  Would we see a noticeable difference in officiating without 70,000 fans booing them for a call that is perceived bad or otherwise?  As the article states, the refs are affected by the responses they receive.  Consciously or not, nobody likes to take heat for an action.

[without a drought]

Jared Goff is not losing any sleep worrying about this game, crowd or no crowd.

 

And refs will be able to hear almost all said by the players and coaches, I guess we should ask how that will affect the refs calls.

[Tenhigh]

22 hours ago, Albany,n.y. said:

I don't agree.  Yes the pure record was better 6-2 vs 4-4, it was more a function of opponents than road/home.  The finale was a tank & do you really think they would have played a better game in Baltimore than OP?  

I think Allen would have.

[RalphWilson'sNewWar]

19 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

He was playing in an opponent's hostile home stadium/crowd and his Offense functioned just fine.  It was not a solid example.  Crowd appeared to have no impact.

 

And the average temperature in Buffalo in September is 70.  And Goff is 10-2 in September.  And he has a better record on the road, has thrown more TDs on the road and far fewer sacks on the road and......well I think you get the point.

Now you got me thinking Goff won’t be affected at all in a sold out New Era.

 

And if there are NO fans...shoot...now I might pick Rams to win that one.

 

thnaks!